West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt
Entrances at 1200 S. 6th Street & 1151 Post Oak Street
16 Acres of Natural Urban Forest

The West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt is a 16-acre slice of wilderness in the heart of South Austin. While not maintained by the city, the Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Association has long taken stewardship of this cherished green space. Once avoided due to encampments and BMX activity, the greenbelt has gradually transformed into a welcoming retreat, thanks to annual community-led creek cleanups that began drawing attention to its hidden potential.

In 2009, BCNA commissioned an ecological assessment from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, laying the groundwork for long-term preservation. From that, the neighborhood established clear goals: to maintain the greenbelt as an “urban forest” with natural trails, support native vegetation, and provide a peaceful space for walking, biking, birdwatching, and family outings.

The first phase focused on the removal of invasive species like Ligustrum, Nandina, and Chinaberry—work that took years and continues today as we contend with persistent growth of Cat’s Claw and Nandina.

In 2012, the focus shifted to trail development, aided by a 2016 grant from the Austin Parks Foundation. New signage was added in 2018, and a rock hop creek crossing was built near the S. 6th entrance with PARD funding. Though heavy rains have twice washed it away, dedicated neighbors continue to reposition the stones, keeping the path accessible.

Enhancements at the Post Oak entrance, including a kiosk, fencing, striped parking, and signage, were completed with a grant and celebrated in 2020.

Like many public spaces, the greenbelt faced new challenges during the pandemic, when it became home to a large encampment. After years of collaboration with the city and social services, the area was included in Austin’s HEAL initiative, and residents were relocated to transitional housing. The subsequent city-led clean-up took months, but today, the greenbelt is steadily recovering—and once again offers a quiet haven for hikers, dog walkers, and nature lovers alike.